NEW BLOG HOME

Hello :)

We have gone "in-house" with our blog.

Babyjo is now located at: http://www.babyjo.com.au

See you there :)

x

On the bamboo trail...

It's official that I am even more in love with Bamboo now that I am getting knee deep into my research of this incredible resource.

I’m in search of Australian bamboo. It just so happens I have a holiday booked to the northern rivers of NSW (before the opportunity to buy babyjo had even come up ;). Upon arrival I was very excited to discover bamboo – is everywhere! Bamboo certainly is not growing in my local Blue Mountains town in NSW.

The gorgeous house @ Bangalow we rented was called Bungalow3 (divine plus!) and even had a bamboo fence or 2 and a bamboo tree outside the window :) I took that as a very good omen on arrival.

A bit of research on my holiday (thanks to google and some phone calls), means I have discovered that Australia actually has about 5 species of native bamboo . . so perhaps my dream of using Australian bamboo for babyjo isn’t such a pipe dream after-all . . . It makes much more environmental sense to support local industry and get the resource as locally sourced as possible.

My love of Bamboo and passion to find a resource that is sustainable, has taken me on a search of bamboo forests across the northern rives. I am finding lovely spots daily where I can sit under the VERY tall bamboo shoots and marvel at the grandeur and simplicity of a bamboo plantation. I cuddle my son (in his babyjo romper ;) and it’s pretty hard to believe that these gorgeous plants can turn into my equally gorgeous clothing range.

I have realized it is time for me to investigate the 'how’ of bamboo fibre production a little more. I don’t know all that much about the actual process of transforming bamboo trees into bamboo fibre clothing, and I want to make sure I am doing it as environmentally friendly as possible.Time to ask my chinese manufacturer a few questions ;)

As I transform my own knowledge I can't help but feel there is a global shift taking place - where we can all start to consciously create our futures instead of the old 'search and destroy' mentality.

Definitely on the bamboo trail now – and loving it.

Oh I must also confess that I am certainly making some time to spend by the ocean - running on the beach with my beautiful children :)

Christmas Gifts for Kids

One of our favourite customers, (a SAHM mother to 2 gorgeous boys) has written a guest post for us this month - a great read for anyone looking to purchase Christmas gifts for little ones.
Shellie is passionate about our Environment (and protecting it) and raises some great points below.


"This Christmas, more than ever, I am determined that we should give
the earth a Happy New Year by making environmentally friendly
choices. I find that Christmas is a time where we really are
speaking with our wallets, and thus it is so important that we buy
carefully.
So often a gift is bought just for the sake of something to give. I
feel that if you are stuck for what to buy something, it is best to
donate on their behalf instead. I have some young cousins who are
really difficult to buy for and in the past I have used the TEAR and
OXFAM websites which have many choices available such as "buying"
school supplies for children, mosquito nets, or a chook for a
family. Greenpeace is another good one where you can donate money to
protect rainforests. Orangutans.com.au offer "cards-for-a-cause" and
a search of the internet will find you many similar options.

My immediate family do a Kris Kringle where the gift has to have cost
nothing (being a farming family, we are conscious of the environment
and do not like to waste money just for the sake of giving a gift).
This year I have made my brother a photo album from cereal boxes
decorated with scraps of paper and copies of his baby photos with a
bit of writing about him. My sister is going to help my mum paint
her house and my mum is brilliant at making things from wood so i am
sure to get something great from her.

My Mum's relatives come up with a gift swapping game, where we all
put one gift into the centre. we then take turns to either chose a
gift from the pile, or to steal one off another person. This year,
the gifts that we have to put in must be something that we have at
home, but no longer use. i have plenty of things i can put in!
My dad's family too, have adopted this idea. we have our Christmas
gathering the weekend before Christmas and this year I will be sure
that I put in only environmentally friendly gifts - a notepad made
from post consumer recycled paper and a pen from
www.goinggreensolutions.com.au
Some of my other favourite sites are www.biome.com.au and
www.todae.com.au
I recently bought my kids a little solar car from
Todae ($12) which is great to teach them about energy.
I have been searching for great gifts for my kids and for the
children of my best friend and have come across many wonderful
sites.
My favourites being
www.ecotoys.com.au
www.honeybeetoys.com.au and
www.thetribestore.com.au

My kids favourite toys are organic wooden "anamalz" and each birthday
and christmas we add something to their collection.
"greentoys" make some wonderful items including a tea set made from
recycled plastic bottles (their range can be found at
www.ecotoys.com.au)

"Boon" make bath toys that are bpa free and do not have holes in the
bottom to allow toys such as ducks to fill up with yucky water which
is then drunk by cheeky children. They also have some innovative
bath toys such as a ring toss game.


My favourite new item that I am looking at for my own children is the
rainbow nesting blocks from www.ecotoys.com.au. these are brightly
coloured blocks in various shapes - square, triangle and crescent -
that can be stacked in any way that you can think of. I love these
sorts of toys for kids as it gives them a chance to really use their
imagination. The blocks are made from environmentally friendly
rubber wood. I know that I can trust ecotoys and that they only
stock good quality, environmentally friendly products. For this
reason, I have passed their website on to family who are looking at
what to buy for my children.
I also saw an idea of making your own Christmas bonbons by using
toilet rolls. I have found some great little things that can fit
inside a toilet roll - wooden pencils from "Save the children" and
some organic lip balm. I also have some brilliant family jokes to
put inside. but i wont be sharing those here!
Finally, there is nothing better after a christmas lunch that to have
a great conversation with your relatives while you wash the dishes
(no need for disposable plates and cutlery).
So, this year, lets all give the earth a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year by making our purchases carefully."

Thanks Shellie for sharing this special post with us - It sounds as though you will be enjoying a wonderful Christmas with your beautiful family!
Jo.........

About three things I was absolutely positive....... First, winter was in full swing. Second, there is a part of me that absolutely adores hats of shape and kind. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with bamboo!

You could be forgiven for thinking I am in a Twilight-induced-blog-posting-haze, however this is NOT the case. I have just found out that my good friend Simone over at Monkey Caboose has some totally divine winter hats made from....... (you guessed it) BAMBOO!

Zooni Mop Top bamboo hats feature one-of-a-kind designs that are guaranteed to turn heads! Each hat is hand knit with love and care from custom made bamboo yarn. Lined with soft fleece or jersey, these hats provide maximum warmth and comfort for your child. The perfect finishing touch to any outfit - and boy are they cute!



Zooni bamboo hats are available in 3 sizes - Small (6-12 months), Medium (12 -24 Months) and Large (2-5 yrs) you can dress your little person in a beautiful, warm and absolutely gorgeous winter hat.


Monkey Caboose has two bamboo styles available - "Dyno-mite" and "Sweet on you" Cupcake and a huge range of other adorable Zooni hats for winter - I just love them!

An award for our environment

What a busy few weeks it has been!
Initially, I was so chuffed to hear that Babyjo had been nominated for an Award at the upcoming Connect2Mums AusMumpreneur Awards to be held in Brisbane on the 31st July.


I was then even more excited to find that we are now a finalist (with 4 others) in the category of "Best Eco Friendly Business". The other finalists are just amazing, each with their own fantastic business that has a strong focus on being eco friendly and environmentally responsible/aware. You can read more about them here at Connect2Mums.
I love the fact that there is a business award for this category, and regardless of the outcome, our world is still better off for the changes that we are all striving to make - Every bit counts!

So.......I have my plane tickets ready (get me out of this chilly Melbourne weather!) and a lovely "frock" ready for the evening, and I am so looking forward to meeting so many fabulous business owners and amazingly talented "Mumpreneurs".


The AusMumpreneur Awards celebrate and recognize those achieving success in the industry, in areas such as business, product development, services and innovation in both online and bricks and mortar businesses from around Australia.



In conjunction with a super 3 day conference, the AusMumpreneur Awards take place at a glamourous Awards dinner at Rydges, Southbank, Brisbane on Saturday 31 July. These awards are the only events of their kind in Australia and will be officially opened by Hon Karen Struthers MP the Minister for Women.

Connect2mums provides a safe and supportive environment for women in online businesses to get together and share information, network and gain support. The site provides members with relevant information and opportunities to interact and socialise with other mums across Australia and New Zealand. Friday night live chats, newsletters, product reviews, real-life events, competitions and articles are just some of the ways women get connected at Connect2mums.

For more information on the the AusMumpreneur Awards visit: www.connect2mums.com.au or you can email connect2mums@gmail.com

We do things differently around here!

I've been busily working away this weekend - which is a big plus when the weather is as cold as it is! We are so excited to bring a fun new way of shopping to you and your friends and family.

Babies around the world are loving Babyjo Bamboo - so why not share the secret with your friends & family & benefit when sales are made.
Similar to a “Tupperware” party, however carried out online, we are proud to offer Babyjo e-parties to our valued customers and friends.

The rewards are fantastic, and easily achievable - simply share the details with your friends and family, then sit back and relax!
What a fantastic way to add to your existing range of Babyjo (or make a start for a new arrival) and offer your little one the most beautiful, organic clothes & blankets imaginable!
We've kept it as simple as possible, and there is very little for the "party panda" to do - all material and information is supplied - you just need to find the friends to join the party!


HOW DOES IT WORK?
** Contact us to confirm your e-party & a start date will be arranged.
** e - party invitation, order code & flier will be sent to you via email
** Share the invitation with friends, family, facebook – whoever!
** Sit back and relax while your friends shop with FREE POSTAGE!

e—parties run for 10 days, so your selected friends and family have plenty of time to browse our website and make a selection. Using the unique code to secure free shipping, customers can place their order via our online site at www.babyjo.com.au
As the “party panda”, you will receive $20 store credit* upon placing your booking. For every $ spent by your friends & family, you will receive additional store credit to use on your own purchases—SIMPLE!

Below is an indication of store credit received in comparison with sales made throughout the duration of your e-party

$ 200—$300 in sales = $30 store credit.
$300—$400 in sales = $50 store credit.
$400—$500 e-party = $70 store credit
$500—$600 in sales = $90 store credit
$600—$800 in sales = $110 store credit

If this sounds like something you would love to take part in - become a "Party Panda" today by contacting us via email for more details!

Wrapped up in blankets for winter

Firstly, I must apologise for my lack of blogging of late.
Ok - I will be honest - It has a little to do with the onset of winter and desperately wanting to curl up on the couch and stay cosy, a little bit to do with being busy finalising and receiving our latest range of 2 layer bamboo blankets and beanies, and a LOT to do with becoming obsessed with the Twilight Saga..... Strange, I know. I must be about a year or more behind the rest of the world (and I abstained for as long as I did as I KNEW that I would get "sucked into it") but in reality, when the bug bit - it bit hard!
I found myself neglecting work, neglecting the family and walking around trying to cook, clean and sleep with a book under my nose. Addictive is the only word - I read all 4 books in just over a week and a bit (plus 264 pages of Midnight Sun online) and am now just starting Breaking Dawn (the fourth book) for the second time..... Yes - I probably will just finish it tomorrow and then pick up the first book and start all over again, but for now, I am content to just hang out on the couch and read, read, read!
That being said, my reading obsession was interrupted on Friday (thankfully) by the arrival of our shipment of stock for this winter. I wanted to go a bit brighter, a bit bolder and a bit funkier - so Little Akai and Little Apple Blossom have joined our range of blankets, and Natural Eco has made a stunning return (as it was ever so popular and sold out far too quickly).

With thanks to a gorgeous friend of mine and her beautiful bub (not to mention her husband who takes fantastic photos) - we captured the little man (below) testing out the new range!


(- Little Apple Blossom 2 layer bamboo blanket and beanie set) and below (my favourite) Little Akai 2 layer bamboo blanket and beanie set.... What a cutie our little model is!


And our entire range of beanies are finally here - just in time for all those gorgeous winter babies!
So.... It wasn't an entirely unproductive few weeks (chuckle chuckle) - I did manage to get a lot done, even with my "diversions" that I am sure a few of you could relate to! Righty-O, I have a book to read...........